Mobile Learning in Classrooms: Why do we need it?

Mobile Learning in Classrooms

As schools expand their views on the use of smartphones and tablets as tools for stimulating learning, mobile learning, or “M-Learning,” is becoming a reality. Over the years there has been a higher incidence of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and 1:1 computing programs in schools. Let’s look at some reasons why this learning approach is beneficial:

• Increases Student Productivity: Each device has a wide range of features, applications and tools which can cater to the different learning styles and preferences of students. Students can learn and express their understanding of materials using methods like interactive presentations, short clips, videos, and many more. Use of familiar technology and engaging in their preferred styles of learning can increase student motivation and productivity.
• Creative Teaching Process: Mobile learning helps teachers to be more creative in their teaching methods. Teachers can plan for activities and tasks that are creative, interactive and challenging for the students. The approach also no longer restricts the learning process to the boundaries of the classroom. Some examples include using live polling tools instead of exit slips, and QR codes and geo-mapping applications to make lectures more interesting and engaging.
• Efficient Learning: The devices allow students to be more efficient and driven in their learning. They can save instructions, set reminders, and use the calendars to ensure that they perform and submit their classwork on time.
• Instant Feedback: Teachers can use devices to give prompt and timely feedback to students. For instance, the audio recording option in phones allow teachers to give fast, quality feedback to each student. Similarly, students can use their devices to give instant responses to their teachers.
• All Time Learning: Mobile learning promotes learning anywhere, at all times. Teachers can use the chat features to initiate discussions away from the classroom. Students can read through their study material and participate in these discussions at home. They can post their queries and get immediate answers from their peer group or teacher. It also allows students to submit their classwork even when they are not in class.
• Student Collaboration: M-Learning stimulates and enhances student collaboration and communication. Students interact and collaborate with each other easily and more frequently using their devices for completing their group assignments and projects.

For these reasons and many more, mobile learning promotes effective, efficient and creative learning processes inside and outside the classroom environment.

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